Stained glass is truly art for your home. This piece was designed by Needham Studios in Chico, Callf., for a residential setting. It portrays a scene from Lower Bidwell Park, the crown jewel of the Northern California town.

The ways to improve the look of a home are practically infinite. From lighting and painting to door hardware and wall art, the sheer number of possible home improvements is enough to send your mind reeling.

Stained glass is a home improvement few truly understand—or take advantage of. Mick Needham, owner of Needham’s Stained Glass in Chico, Calif., says there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding stained glass.

Stained glass can provide vivid and stunning images on a window or any front door. This piece was also designed by Needham Studios.

Ask people where they remember seeing stained glass and chances are you’ll hear “a church.” But stained glass can be utilized in areas all around the home, including lamps, windows, mosaics, cabinets, hutches and doors.

Additionally, stained glass can be added to virtually any style of home.

“Unless you come in and look at our catalog, you might not know the capabilities of stained glass,” said Needham. “On a daily basis, people come in and say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know you did all of this.’”

The 64-year-old Needham opened his studio in downtown Chico in 1971.

“Back then, stained glass wasn’t even on the scene very long, only in churches,” Needham said. “So it was kind of hard to get people to understand where they could use it in their homes.”

Ironically, pop culture (like movies and television) proved to be the perfect vehicle for stained glass.

“Stained glass is used as a backdrop. A lot of movies and sit-coms have it and it inspires a lot of people,” he said. “It’s almost subliminal, but it works.”

Underscoring the value of stained glass as a home addition, it’s truly a work of art. The business of designing stained glass is always different and Needham never knows what’s coming through his front door.

“I’m solving a design problem with artwork. That’s how I look at most of what I do,” Needham said. “As opposed to an artist who makes something and puts it in a gallery and says, ‘This is it, take it or leave it,’ we try and solve what fits better with the homeowner or church or whomever you’re working with.

“It’s pretty neat, actually,” he said.

Thank you for checking out the Build.com home improvement blog!

Popularity: 3%